The Fall of Grace by Amy Fellner Dominy (Review)

The Fall of Grace
by Amy Fellner Dominy
YA Contemporary
Hardcover & ebook, 304 Pages
April 10th 2018 by Delacorte Press

Summary

Fans of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han will love The Fall of Grace, an adventure-thriller with a hint of romance, in which not everything as perfect as it seems.

"Poignant. Thoughtful. Heartbreaking and heart-mending. A careful exploration of how children often pay the price for their parents' mistakes. The Fall of Grace is Amy Fellner Dominy's best writing yet."-Erin Jade Lange, author of Rebel, Bully, Geek, Pariah

Grace's junior year is turning into her best year yet. She's set to make honor roll, her print from photography class might win a national contest, and her crush just asked her to prom.

Then the bottom falls out. News breaks that the investment fund her mom runs is a scam and her mother is a thief. Now, instead of friends, the FBI is at her door. Grace is damaged goods.

Millions of dollars are unaccounted for, and everyone wants to know where all the money went. Can she find it and clear her mother's name?

The key to repairing her shattered life seems to lie in a place deep in the wilderness, and Grace sets out, her identity hidden, determined to find it.

But she isn't alone.

Sam Rivers, a mysterious loner from school, is on her trail and wants to know exactly what secrets she uncovers. As the pair travels into the wilds, Grace realizes she must risk everything on the dark, twisted path to the truth.

Praise for the Book

"The Fall of Grace is heart-rending and real; readers will laugh and weep as they follow Grace's journey of anger, guilt, betrayal, love, and the different layers of forgiveness. The emotional turmoil is almost abrasively raw, and yet so believable. In a culture of call-outs and finger pointing, this is a book for anyone who has stood accused."- Aprilynne Pike #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Wings and Glitter

"Clever plot construction,...romance, and Grace's realistic emotional roller coaster will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen."- Booklist

"Quick-paced...[The Fall of Grace] features a satisfyingly unexpected and realistic ending that will likely surprise readers."- Kirkus Reviews

"Dominy writes with raw emotion, exploring the impact of revealed family secrets through the lens of a daughter's fierce love."- Publishers Weekly 

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

THE FALL OF GRACE is a poignant story of a girl who has lost everything after having it all and the boy who she finds some understanding in on her journey to finding what is true. It's a story full of emotional turmoil, complex characters, and a bittersweet ending. Young adult contemporary readers who are looking for something powerful that will tug on their hearts, will love this story.

From the first chapter, this story easily reels the reader in. It's not so much a page-turner, but more of a compelling story with a little bit of mystery as secrets unfold. The story continues with an intense undercurrent as the characters reach their destination and as some choices are made.

I loved the characters! Grace felt real. Genuine. Easy to relate to. I was sad for her, angry for her, and hoped for her. I couldn't help it. Her story is so heartbreaking. I wanted to yell at her friends to not desert her and her classmates and teachers as well. Then there is Sam. He is just as heartbroken, but he wears it differently than Grace. He appears tough and like he hates the world. Grace believes he hates her. He's a little stalkerish... it is a crazy situation. He and his mom are rather desperate. Even though he acts like he doesn't care, he comes to Grace's aid and together they make a journey to hopefully find some of what Grace has lost. They find something different and are changed for what they discover.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a highly engrossing, powerful read. I ate up every page and would definitely recommend to young adult contemporary readers who won't mind the content.

Content: Some swearing (including a few f-words), some crude moments, references to suicide, and bullying.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the author's publicist, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Make sure to check out an excerpt, interview, and giveaway here. Have you read this one yet or will you be?

No comments

Post a Comment

I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.